By Fred Chela Feb 3, 2007, 14:00 GMT
Lusaka - Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived Saturday in Zambia to discuss with his Zambian counterpart Levy Mwanawas the country's share of the 3 billion dollars in aid China is to provide to Africa.
Hu, arriving from the Sudan as part of his eight-nation tour of Africa, is on a three-day state visit to Zambia to cement Sino-Zambia economic and trade relations. On arrival the Chinese leader described Zambia as an important country in southern Africa.
'Under the leadership of President Mwanawasa, the Zambian people have, in recent years, made impressive achievements in economic revitalization and national development, and played an active role in African and international affairs,' Hu said according to the statement reported by China's official Xinhua agency.
Hu and Mwanawasa were expected to sign several accords regarding the implementation of the agreement at the China/Africa Beijing Forum summit in November that China would give 3 billion dollars in aid to Africa.
China has promised to build an ultra modern stadium in Ndola, Zambia's second largest city, for teams at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa to practice in.
Ahead of Hu's visit, Zambian officials had put tight security conditions into place, with media to be drastically reduced and rules in which journalists were not to be allowed to ask any questions of Hu. Observers saw the restrictions as a result of pressure exerted by Chinese officials anxious to ward off questions about human rights.
Zambia is the fourth stop on Hu's tour of Africa, having previously visited Cameroon, Liberia and Sudan. He is then scheduled to proceed to Namibia, South Africa, Mozambique and Seychelles.
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